Sling swivel

ABSTRACT

A sling swivel for attachment of a sling or strap to a firearm or other item. The swivel includes a body portion defining a slot for receiving the sling or strap, and a mounting pin having a fixed end attached to the body portion and a free end projecting therefrom. A handle is pivotally mounted to the body portion, and a spring is located within the handle portion to bias the handle portion toward the body portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/150,860, filed Feb. 9, 2009 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/291,449, filed Dec. 31, 2009, the content of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the carrying and transport of equipment, and more particularly to a swivel for a sling or shoulder strap, for use in example applications with firearms, tools, luggage or other items.

Slings or shoulder straps are used in lifting and carrying items over the shoulder of a person and/or for hanging items on a support. For example, a sling comprising a strap of leather, nylon or other material is often affixed to a rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader or other type of long gun, for easier carrying in the field. Slings may also be used to steady a gun while aiming, for attachment of a rope to lift a gun to a tree-stand, and/or for various other purposes.

A flexible sling or strap is conventionally attached to a firearm by sling swivel studs affixed near the front and rear of the firearm, which are coupled to swivels secured to each end of the sling or strap. Traditionally, the studs are permanently or semi-permanently affixed to the firearm, as for example by screws or threaded couplings or clamps, and the swivels are secured to the sling by buckles, clips or other fastening means. A post portion of each swivel is typically detachably coupled into a hole in the stud, and secured by means of a spring-biased clip or threaded connection on the swivel.

It is to the provision of an improved sling swivel that the present invention is primarily directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In example embodiments, the present invention relates to an improved sling swivel for use with a firearm, tool, luggage or other item. In one aspect, the swivel includes a body portion defining a slot for receiving a sling, a mounting pin having a fixed end attached to the body portion and a free end projecting therefrom, a handle pivotally mounted to the body portion, and a spring within the handle portion biasing the handle portion toward the body portion.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a sling swivel comprising a handle portion pivotally attached to a body portion by a retainer, the retainer having a shaft extending through a bore in the handle portion about which the handle portion rotates and which has an end attached to the body portion. A spring is preferably coiled about the shaft of the retainer for biasing the handle toward the body portion, the spring being enclosed within the bore in the handle portion. A mounting pin preferably has a fixed end attached to the body portion and a free end receivable within a hole formed in the handle portion. The shaft of the retainer and the mounting pin are generally parallel to one another, and the free end of the mounting pin is disengaged from the hole formed in the handle by retracting the handle away from the body portion to compress the spring.

In still another aspect, the invention relates to an improvement to a firearm having at least one swivel stud mounted thereto and a sling, each swivel stud having a bore extending therethrough. The improvement comprises a sling swivel detachably coupled to each swivel stud, the sling swivel including a body portion having a slot for receiving the sling, a cutout region, and a mounting pin projecting outwardly therefrom. The sling swivel further includes a handle portion receivable within the cutout region of the body portion, and having a bore extending therethrough and a hole for releasably engaging a free end of the mounting pin. The sling swivel also includes a retaining member extending through the bore of the handle portion and attached to the body portion, about which retaining member the handle portion can pivot. The sling swivel further includes a spring within the handle portion for biasing the handle portion and the body portion toward one another.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a sling swivel for a firearm, the swivel including a body portion having a loop for receiving a sling adjacent a first end thereof, a handle portion pivotally mounted to the body portion, and a mounting pin extending between the body portion and the handle portion for detachable engagement with a sling swivel stud mounted to a firearm. The body portion and the handle portion have a substantially uniform thickness T, and a minimum width-wise dimension W, wherein W≧2T.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sling attached to a firearm by means of a sling swivel according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an assembly view of a sling swivel according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sling swivel according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.

Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

With reference now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a sling 10 attached to a firearm 20 by means of a sling swivel 30 according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The sling 10 is of typical form, comprising an elongate strap or web of leather, nylon fabric, or other flexible material having first and second ends, and one or more buckles, clips, loops, or other means for attachment of sling swivels at one or both ends thereof. The firearm 20 is a rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader or other type of long gun having a stock and/or barrel to which one or more swivel studs 22 are permanently or semi-permanently affixed. While the sling swivel 30 is described herein as used in connection with a firearm, it may also be adapted for use with tools, luggage and/or other items.

The sling swivel 30 generally comprises a body portion 32, a handle or clip portion 34, a retainer 36 such as a screw, bolt or pin, and a biasing spring 38, shown in assembly drawing form in FIG. 2. The body portion 32 includes a slot or loop 40 at a first end thereof for receiving the sling. In example forms, the slot 40 has a length of about 1.0″ to about 1.25″, and a width of about 0.20″ to about 0.25″. A first side of the body portion 32 preferably includes one or more raised or textured gripping surface elements 42 to provide a better grip by the user when attaching and removing the swivel to and from a firearm. The opposite second side and second end of the body portion 32 comprise a stepped profile defining a first generally rectangular cutout area 44 proximal the first end of the body portion, and a second generally rectangular cutout area 46 proximal the second end. A bore 48 is formed into a side-facing surface along the first cutout area 44 for receiving the retainer 36 to secure the handle or clip portion 34 to the body portion.

A mounting pin 50 projects generally perpendicularly and outwardly from the body portion 32 in the area of the second cutout area 46, and lies generally parallel and between the planes of the front and rear surfaces of the body portion. The mounting pin 50 extends outwardly of the body portion 32 by a lengthwise dimension equal to or preferably slightly greater than the width of the second cutout area 46. The mounting pin 50 can be integrally formed with the body portion 32, or can be a separate piece having a fixed end attached to the body portion as by adhesive, welding, press-fitting into a bore of the body portion, or other attachment means.

The front and/or rear surfaces of the body portion optionally include a recess 52 for receiving and displaying branding information. A label or printed indicia can be applied to the recess 52, or branding information can be molded, engraved, or otherwise formed into the material of the body portion.

The handle or clip portion 34 is a generally rectangular panel having a first end 60 and a first side 62 that confront and fit within the first cutout portion 44 of the stepped profile of the second side of the body portion 32 when assembled. The first end 60 is preferably rounded or radiused when viewed from the side, to allow clearance when the handle portion 34 is toggled or rotated during installation and removal of the swivel. The second side of the handle or clip portion 34 includes one or more gripping surface elements or features 62, similar to the gripping surface elements or features 42 of the body portion. The handle or clip portion 34 and the body portion 32 can be formed of a polymeric material such as Delryn, and/or of steel, aluminum, metal alloy, and/or other substantially rigid material(s). The handle 34 and body 32 each preferably have a substantially uniform thickness T, and a minimum width-wise (parallel to the lengthwise axis of the mounting pin 50) dimension W, wherein W≧2T, and more preferably W≧3T, to enable a user to easily grip the components when manipulating them for installation and removal of the swivel. When assembled and installed, the handle 34 and body 32 combine to define a generally symmetric side-to-side peripheral shape of approximately equal length and width, with arcuate recesses on the sides at the end proximal the pin 50 and rounded corners at the end proximal the slot 40.

The handle or clip portion 34 has a through-bore 70 extending between its first and second sides proximal the first end 60, for receiving the retainer 36, and a blind hole 80 bored into the first side 62 proximal its second end for receiving the free end of the mounting pin 50. The retainer 36 is installed through the bore 70, and its tip or leading end is secured into the hole 48 in the body portion 32 to attach the handle and body portions together. The tip of the retainer 36 is preferably permanently affixed within the hole, as by adhesive, welding, press-fitting, shrink-fitting, or threaded connection. The shaft of the retainer preferably passes through the bore 70 in the handle portion 34 with a smooth or free running tolerance, to permit the handle portion to pivot about the axis of the shaft with light to moderate manual force. A first counter-bored portion of the bore 70 has an expanded diameter to receive the biasing spring 38 therein, when mounted over the shaft of the retainer 36. A larger second counter-bored portion of the bore 70 is optionally provided to receive the head of the retainer 36 therein. In alternate embodiments, the retainer 36 extends through a bore of the body portion 32, and its tip end is attached to the handle portion 34.

When the swivel 30 is assembled (FIG. 1), the biasing spring 38 is held captive within the handle portion 34 in an expanded or partially expanded state between the head of the retainer 36 and a shoulder within the bore 70 formed at the inner end of the first counter-bored portion, and the free end of the mounting pin 50 is received in the hole 80, so that the first side 62 of the handle 34 closely abuts the body portion 32. The retainer 36 is positioned generally parallel to the mounting pin 50. In example forms, the outer periphery or envelope of the overall assembly of the swivel 30 forms a generally flat square or rectangular panel, with the handle nesting substantially within the cutout areas of the body portion, and having length-wise and width-wise dimensions of at least about four times its thickness.

To install the swivel 30, a user grips the body portion 32 and the handle 34 by the gripping elements 42, 64, pulls them apart from each other to compress the spring 38 and disengage the end of the mounting pin 50 from the hole 80, and then pivots the handle 34 relative to the body portion 32 rotationally about the axis of the retainer 36. The exposed free end of the mounting pin 50 is then inserted through a bore in the sling stud 22 mounted to a firearm 20. The user then again pulls the handle 34 away from the body portion 32, pivots the handle back into alignment with the body portion, and reengages the free end of the mounting pin 50 into the hole 80 of the handle. Optionally, the retainer can be tightened to lock the swivel in its engaged state when installed on the firearm to prevent inadvertent detachment. The operation is reversed to remove the swivel. In alternate embodiments, the mounting pin 50 extends from the handle portion 34 for releasable engagement with a receiver hole or surface of the body portion.

FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of a swivel 30′ that is substantially similar to the above-described embodiment, and wherein the mounting pin comprises a bolt or other connector 150. Optionally, the thickness and/or other dimensions of the body and handle components may increase or otherwise vary to accommodate the bolt and/or for additional structural reinforcement A bore or channel extends through the width W′ of the body portion 32′ of the swivel in the region 47 opposite the slot 40′, and extends generally parallel and midway between the front and rear surfaces of the body portion. The through bore has open ends and extends from the outer face 76 to the inner face 78 of the region 47 opposite the slot 40′ in the body portion 32′. A knurled nut having a ridged or contoured outer surface and an internally threaded bore is optionally secured within the through bore to receive and engage the external threads of the bolt 150. The knurled nut can be secured through a friction fit, adhesive, or it can be integrally molded within the body portion 32′. The knurls on the outer surface of the nut prevent the nut from moving within the through bore as the bolt is installed, and resist detachment during use. Optionally an 0-ring or washer is provided between the bolt and the body 32′. The bolt 150 is inserted into the through bore from the outer face 76 and is threaded through the knurled nut. The bolt 150 has a head 152 and a threaded body 154 that extends from the outer face 76, through the nut in the bore and outwardly from the body portion 72 by a lengthwise dimension equal to or preferably slightly greater than the width of the second cutout area 46′. Thus, the overall length of the bolt 150 is slightly longer than the W′ of the region 47 and the width of the second cutout area 46′. The bolt 150 may, for example, take the form of a stainless steel, steel, aluminum or other material #8×32 UNRC ⅞″ hex-drive screw optionally including a Teflon coating. The crests of the threads toward the free end of the bolt 150 are optionally machined down to provide a reduced outer diameter and to provide a smoother interface when received within the cooperating bore of the handle portion 34′ of the swivel. The distal faces of the body portion 32′ and the handle portion 34′ at the end of the swivel opposite the slot 40′ are optionally rounded or radiused to allow the swivel to freely pivot or swivel when attached to the stock of a firearm or other carried object. In use, the swivel operates in similar fashion to the above described embodiment, with the user engaging and releasing the free end of the bolt 150 from the bore of the handle portion 34′ to attach and remove the sling from the firearm or other object to which it is attached.

While the invention has been described with reference to preferred and example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims. 

1. A sling swivel comprising: a body portion defining a slot for receiving a sling; a mounting pin having a fixed end attached to the body portion and a free end projecting therefrom; a handle pivotally mounted to the body portion; and a spring within the handle portion biasing the handle portion toward the body portion.
 2. The sling swivel of claim 1, wherein the handle is mounted to the body portion by a retainer, the retainer having a first end affixed to the body portion and a shaft forming an axis about which the handle pivots.
 3. The sling swivel of claim 3, wherein the shaft of the retainer extends through the spring.
 4. The sling swivel of claim 3, wherein the shaft of the retainer is generally parallel to the mounting pin.
 5. The sling swivel of claim 1, wherein the handle has a radiused end interfacing with the body portion.
 6. The sling swivel of claim 1, wherein the body portion and the handle have a substantially uniform thickness T, and a minimum width-wise dimension W, wherein W≧2T.
 7. The sling swivel of claim 1, wherein the body portion and the handle have a substantially uniform thickness T, and a minimum width-wise dimension W, wherein W≧3T.
 8. The sling swivel of claim 1, wherein the body portion and the handle have gripping elements along outer edges thereof.
 9. The sling swivel of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a hole for releasably engaging the free end of the mounting pin.
 10. A sling swivel comprising a handle portion pivotally attached to a body portion by a retainer, the retainer having a shaft extending through a bore in the handle portion about which the handle portion rotates and an end attached to the body portion, further comprising a spring coiled about the shaft of the retainer for biasing the handle toward the body portion, the spring being enclosed within the bore in the handle portion, and further comprising a mounting pin having a fixed end attached to the body portion and a free end receivable within a hole formed in the handle portion, wherein the shaft of the retainer and the mounting pin are generally parallel to one another, and wherein the free end of the mounting pin is disengaged from the hole formed in the handle by retracting the handle away from the body portion to compress the spring.
 11. The sling swivel of claim 10, wherein the body portion comprises a loop for receiving a sling therethrough.
 12. The sling swivel of claim 10, wherein the handle portion has a rounded first end for clearance with the body portion when the handle is rotated.
 13. The sling swivel of claim 10, wherein the handle portion fits within a cutout area of the body portion.
 14. The sling swivel of claim 10, wherein the body portion and the handle portion have a substantially uniform thickness T, and a minimum width-wise dimension W, wherein W≧2T.
 15. The sling swivel of claim 10, wherein the body portion and the handle portion have a substantially uniform thickness T, and a minimum width-wise dimension W, wherein W≧3T.
 16. The sling swivel of claim 10, wherein the body portion and the handle have gripping ridges along outer edges thereof.
 17. In combination with a firearm having at least one swivel stud mounted thereto and a sling, each swivel stud having a bore extending therethrough, the improvement comprising: a sling swivel detachably coupled to each swivel stud, the sling swivel comprising: a body portion having a slot for receiving the sling, a cutout region, and a mounting pin projecting outwardly therefrom; a handle portion receivable within the cutout region of the body portion, and having a bore extending therethrough and a hole for releasably engaging a free end of the mounting pin; a retaining member extending through the bore of the handle portion and attached to the body portion, about which retaining member the handle portion can pivot; and a spring within the handle portion for biasing the handle portion and the body portion toward one another.
 18. The sling swivel of claim 17, wherein the handle portion has a rounded first end for clearance with the body portion when the handle portion is pivoted.
 19. The sling swivel of claim 17, wherein the body portion and the handle portion have a substantially uniform thickness T, and a minimum width-wise dimension W, wherein W≧2T.
 20. The sling swivel of claim 17, wherein the body portion and the handle portion have a substantially uniform thickness T, and a minimum width-wise dimension W, wherein W≧3T.
 21. The sling swivel of claim 17, wherein the body portion and the handle portion have gripping ridges along outer edges thereof.
 22. A sling swivel for a firearm, comprising: a body portion having a slotted loop for receiving a sling adjacent a first end thereof; a handle portion pivotally mounted to the body portion; and a mounting pin extending between the body portion and the handle portion for detachable engagement with a sling swivel stud mounted to a firearm; wherein the body portion and the handle portion have a substantially uniform thickness T, and a minimum width-wise dimension W, wherein W≧2T.
 23. The sling swivel of claim 22, wherein W≧3T.
 24. The sling swivel of claim 22, wherein the mounting pin extends from the body portion.
 25. The sling swivel of claim 22, wherein the handle portion is pivotally mounted to the body portion by a retainer extending through a bore in the handle portion and having a tip end attached to the body portion.
 26. The sling swivel of claim 25, wherein a spring is mounted over the retainer and received within the bore of the handle portion. 